IANS

Bangalore, Jul 6: Two Nigerian youth were arrested here Monday for possessing and selling cocaine to college students and customers in bars and restaurants in the city, police said.

"The duo were arrested for possessing 228 gm of cocaine, valued at Rs.40 lakh in the international market, under the anti-narcotic drugs law," Deputy Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar told reporters here.

The first accused Chigindu Emakachiku alias Kelvin, 23, was nabbed near a coffee bar in upscale Cunningham Road on a tip off when he was trying to sell the drug. Police seized 110 gm cocaine from him, along with Rs.15,500 in cash and two mobile phones.

The second accused Ogugua Benneth, 25, was trapped near Empire Hotel on Church Street in downtown when he was waiting for a customer. Police recovered 118 gm of cocaine, Rs.30,500 in cash and a mobile phone.

"Kelvin came to Bangalore a year ago on the pretext of getting his elder brother admitted for a kidney transplant in a city hospital and stayed on without valid documents. His Indian visa has also expired," Kumar said.

Benneth too came to the city seven months ago and joined a private college to do a degree course in computer applications (BCA).

"The modus operandi of the duo was to contact potential customers at colleges, pubs and hotels for supplying drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and other banned substances. They had set up a small network," Kumar added.

Even IT employees, tourists and business travellers were among their customers.